Waze Launches 'Forgotten Island' Navigation Experience
DreamWorks collaboration brings animated adventure to daily commutes with custom voice navigation.
1Film-inspired navigation
Waze partners with DreamWorks Animation to create a special navigation experience tied to 'Forgotten Island,' releasing September 2026. The feature transforms standard directions into an adventure narrative, voiced by Grammy and Academy Award winner H.E.R. as character Jo. This marks Waze's latest branded content collaboration following previous partnerships with entertainment properties. The integration launches globally in English simultaneously with the film's theatrical release.
2Character-driven voice navigation
H.E.R. voices protagonist Jo from the animated film, delivering turn-by-turn directions with personality. The navigation includes signature phrases like 'Tayo na!' and 'Strap in... let's roll!' reflecting Jo's energetic character. This builds on Waze's history of celebrity voice packs while adding narrative context from the film. The voice work was specifically recorded for the navigation experience rather than repurposing existing audio assets.
3Cultural vehicle representation
Users can replace their navigation arrow with 'Jo's Jeepney,' a vibrant vehicle from the film that pays homage to Filipino cultural heritage. The jeepney design incorporates colorful patterns and details authentic to the traditional Philippine transport. This marks one of Waze's first navigation icons specifically celebrating Asian cultural elements. The feature aligns with the film's setting on the fictional island of Nakali.
4Retro aesthetic options
The experience includes a 'Nostalgic' mood featuring Jo's paint-splattered boom box from the film. This visual theme plays the character's iconic mixtapes during navigation. The boom box design reflects 90s retro aesthetics consistent with the film's visual language. Users can toggle between standard and nostalgic modes within the Waze interface.
5Marketing integration strategy
The Waze feature serves as a promotional vehicle for DreamWorks' 'Forgotten Island,' exposing commuters to the film's characters and setting. Activation occurs through a dedicated banner in the Waze menu, driving awareness ahead of the September 2026 release. This follows Waze's pattern of time-limited branded experiences tied to entertainment launches. The partnership represents cross-promotion between navigation utility and entertainment marketing.
6Technical implementation
The experience requires downloading the latest Waze app version, indicating backend updates to support the branded content. Voice navigation uses custom recordings rather than text-to-speech generation. Vehicle icons and visual themes represent additional asset integrations beyond standard Waze functionality. The global English release suggests localization considerations for future expansions.
7User engagement approach
Waze leverages gamification by transforming mundane commutes into narrative experiences. The feature encourages repeated use through discoverable Easter eggs like character dialogue. This builds on Waze's existing social features while adding entertainment value. The temporary nature creates urgency to experience the content before its eventual removal post-film release.
8Brand partnership significance
The collaboration demonstrates Waze's value as an alternative advertising platform reaching captive commuter audiences. For DreamWorks, it provides extended character exposure beyond traditional media channels. The integration depth—from voice work to visual themes—sets a new benchmark for navigation app partnerships. Success could inspire similar entertainment-tech crossovers in the location-based services space.
Original article: The Keyword — Waze Launches 'Forgotten Island' Navigation Experience